Koivu will consider Ducks when deal is up

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Sitting out the Stanley Cup playoffs wasn't something Saku Koivu had in mind when he signed on with the Ducks as a free agent last summer after a long run as the face of the Montreal Canadiens.

That wasn't the plan. The plan was to join forces with Teemu Selanne, create an explosive second scoring line to complement the club's young scoring stars and take a reasonable shot at hoisting the silver chalice that has thus far eluded his grasp.

So much for the plan. The Ducks are staring at a long summer and just as Koivu is feeling like he's been here for several years instead of several months, the 35-year-old center can again become a free agent on July 1 when his one-year deal expires.

Playing for a winner will be high on his wish list and the Ducks face an uncertain future with the very possibility that Selanne and, perhaps, Scott Niedermayer won't be back. But Koivu is very much a believer and said he intends to have them in the mix when it comes to options he'll look at.

“This team has tremendous potential,” Koivu said. “And obviously we haven't been consistently effective. We're out of a playoff spot right now. But my opinion about this team hasn't changed one bit from how I felt a year ago.

“I'm even more confident that this team can do something. Obviously there's going to be some question marks in the future. Like with Teemu and Scotty and some of the older guys on whether they're going to continue or not.

“But the positive thing is the core and the group of young guys we have. Their talent level and their play is just going to get better. If you can build a good supporting group around these guys, they'll have the tools to make it happen. There's no doubt.”

It took some time for Koivu to hit his stride with the Ducks and that's not surprising given that he spent his entire career with the Canadiens and his family was entrenched in Montreal.

“When I came here, I knew that my role was going to be different from Montreal,” he said. “I knew that the adjustment period won't happen in a week or a couple of days. It was going to take some time. But I didn't expect how long, what with getting everybody settled in here and getting all the off-ice stuff the way it should be.

“It just took longer than I expected.”

It was an overtime goal against Dallas on Dec. 8 that seemed to get Koivu going but with just 15 goals and 26 assists, it's possible that he'll see his string of 50-point seasons end at six unless he finishes with a flourish.

One of the reasons Koivu signed for only one season was because he wanted to see how he fit with a new team. He said he hasn't spoken to the Ducks about a contract extension but added that it was his preference to wait until the season is over.

The Ducks are eager to retain his services as they've spoken glowingly about the competitive fire that he brings to the ice. General Manager Bob Murray met with Koivu's agent, Don Baizley, last week and they agreed to talk again after the season.

But the one thing that could be in the Ducks' favor is that Koivu has appreciated living in relative anonymity and having fewer media responsibilities, a radical departure from what he experienced in hockey-mad Montreal.

“The life and the part outside of hockey has been great,” Koivu said. “I think it's exactly what we needed and we've been enjoying that a lot as a family. As a hockey player, I know our potential is way beyond what we've shown on a consistent basis.”

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.